News

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission made quick work of its agenda at its most recent regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Up first for the commission was discussion of the purchase of a backhoe for the Water Department.

“Per the agenda information, the Water Department is seeking approval to purchase a 2026 Cat Backhoe. The one we currently use is a 2006. The old one will be handed down to the Wastewater Department, as they are in need of one,” Assistant City Manager Brad Beer said. “We received two quotes from Bobcat and Foley Equipment. This is the first Bobcat backhoe they've released, so it's essentially their prototype. Out of the two quotes, we’re recommending going with the quote from Foley Equipment for an amount not to exceed $115,000 to be funded from the Water Department Equipment Reserve.”

The purchase was approved 4-0, with Liberal Vice Mayor Matt Landry absent from the meeting.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Millions of people rely on SNAP benefits to help feed their families, which have been suspended due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

To help get those benefits back, Gov. Laura Kelly joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to a release from the State of Kansas.

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Gov. Kelly noted in the release. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year locally throughout the month, Liberal’s Cato Fashions store has teamed up with Southwest Medical Center to bring more awareness to breast cancer.

SWMC Marketing and Development Director Janeth Vazquez said as part of the nationwide “Think Pink” awareness effort, the hospital and Cato Fashions partnered to remind the community about the importance of early detection, regular checkups and supporting those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

“‘It’s basically about spreading hope, education and unity one pink ribbon at a time,” she said.

Special to the Leader & Times

The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin Nov. 1 and remain in effect through March 31.

While the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. The Kansas Corporation Commission, the agency that regulates public utilities in the state, implemented the rule in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer's natural gas, electric or water service during periods of extreme cold.